USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 60
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240
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
LITTLE
JOSEPH SAWYER.
MRS. JOSEPH SAWYER.
JOSEPH SAWYER.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Plym- outh, Vermont, March 7, 1794. He was son of Deacon Thomas Sawyer (born September 7, 1757) and Susannah Wilder (born December 3, 1756), who had a family of ten children. His father was a lineal descendant, in the fifth generation, of Thomas Sawyer, who came to this country from Lincolnshire, England, in the year 1636, and settled in Rowley, Essex county, Massachusetts, in 1639. Thomas, Jr., son of the emigrant, with his son, Elias, were taken prisoners by the Indians, and carried away into captivity in Canada, in the year 1705, October 15. They suffered very much for want of something to eat, the Indians having nothing for themselves and their prisoners to eat but the carcass of a dog. They were taken to Upper Canada and given up to the governor. While as prisoners they built the first saw-mill in that country. The governor released them after they had taught others to run the mill. Elias returned to Massachusetts ; married first, Beatrice Houghton, and for his second wife, Miss Hart, who bore him two chil- dren, Thomas and Elizabeth. Thomas was the link in the genealogy above referred to, and with his wife, Susannah, removed, 1779, to the town of Plymouth, Vermont, and here struggled for twelve years, until a large family had ac- cumulated around him.
With a desire to see the Black river country, which then
was held up with such glowing accounts, he disposed of his property, and, in the fall of 1800 came, on horseback, to ex- plore this great northern wilderness, in search of lands that were cheap and good. Hart Massey, Jonathan Wilder, and James Parker were simultaneously affected with the same desire. When he arrived at Watertown, he found Judge Coffeen and Captain Butterfield here with their families, occupying each a little log cabin. Being a carpenter, he assisted in hewing out floor-plank from basswood logs. He inade his selection in the southeast part of the town, where his children and children's children are still occupying in their generations. An engraving of the present residence and surroundings of L. T. Sawyer, his grandson, will be found on the opposite page of this work, under the portraits of himself and wife. Thomas returned to Vermont for his family. His friends pronounced it a hazardous under- taking and fraught with danger, and a palpable case of " tempting Providence," upon which it was presumption to expect the blessing of God.
They bade adieu to friends dear, and in eighteen days found themselves at Judge Hubbard's, in Champion. Leaving their teams at Jonah Woodruff's, came on to Watertown, and put up with their old neighbor, Hart Massey, who had been here since the 7th of March, eleven days before them. The incidents of settlement, the rude
PHOTOS, BY BANTA , WATERTOWN, N. Y.
MRS. L. T. SAWYER.
L. T. SAWYER.
RESIDENCE of L. T. SAWYER, WATERTOWN, N. Y.
JOHN B. BALL.
MRS.JOHN B. BALL.
RESIDENCE of JOHN B. BALL, WATERTOW, N. Y.
241
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
log shanty, the large family of twelve children, the re- union of old friends, are subjects of a sketch in the town history.
Mr. Sawyer was distinguished for his unobtrusive piety, and his house became the home of the New England mis- sionary. He and his wife were two of the nine persons making up the organization of the first Congregational church formed in the town, which was organized at Burr's Mills, 1803.
Mrs. Sawyer was a woman of uncommon energy and excellence, and in the early settlement of Watertown sup- plied the place of a female physician, with a practice ex- tending to several adjoining towns. She was distinguished for kindness and good nature, both at home and abroad, and was a great favorite with her grandehildren, to whom her characteristic advice on parting was, " Be a friend to everybody, and you will never want a friend."
He died, 1825, aged sixty-eight years, leaving his part- ner to live along to the extreme age of ninety-one years, before she was called to her rest. His grandson, IIon. Lorenzo Sawyer, LL.D., is now United States eireuit judge of California.
Joseph was only seven years of age when his father arrived at Watertown, and on the very farm upon which the family located he lived nearly seventy-four years. In the year 1818 he married Miss Mary, daughter of William Pepper. She was born in Otsego county, 1797, and came to Jefferson County in 1809. Soon after her marriage she, together with her husband, united with the First Presby- terian church at Watertown; but upon the organization of the church at Burrville they connected themselves with that body, and remained faithful members of it until their death.
Her life as a wife, a mother, and a Christian, was of the most exemplary character. She was hospitable. Her home was the centre of attraction to a large eirele of friends and relations. She died in Watertown, April 12, 1873.
Joseph inherited from his Puritan ancestry a strong at- taehment for the Bible, the Sabbath, and the worship of God. He was an exemplary Christian man. He lived to be eighty-one years of age, and died December 3, 1874.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were born eight children,-two sons and six daughters. Only three are living; the eldest and youngest died in infaney. Elvira died Angust 20, 1843, aged twenty-three years. Melissa married Dr. Wil- liam Clark in 1845, and located at Central College, Ohio. She died 1851, leaving one son, who survived her only two weeks. Charlotte died November 10, 1851, aged twenty- one years. Of those living, Laurentius T. married Miss Cornelia, daughter of William and Mary Tolman, 1855.
They have two sons, William Herbert and Fred. L. Live on the old homestead. Marictte married Orman Sawyer, 1846 ; reside in the town of Watertown, and have nine children. Fannie married George Hammond, 1858. They have three children.
JOHN B. BALL.
The subject of this sketeh was born in Lowville, Lewis county, September 6, 1811. He was the son of Jonathan Ball, of New England birth (New Hampshire), and grand- son of Jonathan Ball, who was also of New England birth ; was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was a soldier all through the Revolutionary War.
His father was a soldier of the War of 1812; moved to Lewis county, while a young man, with his father, during the early years of the eighteenth century, and became one of the pioneers of that county.
John was second son and third child of a family of six children, and lived at home, working on the farm until his father's death in 1831, and for three years after carried on the farm for his mother; and at the age of twenty-three he married Miss Melinda Bailey, born in Watertown, Jan- uary 17, 1813, and daughter of Seth Bailey and Rebecca Loomis. This was in the year 1835, April 15. In 1838 he came to the town of Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, and settled as a farmer. Remaining there for seven years, he removed to the town of Watertown, and settled where he now resides. An engraving of his residence and sur- roundings will be found on another page of this work. .
He first purchased some one hundred and fifty-five aeres, and has sinee made additions, until he owned at one time over six hundred and seventy aeres of land in this county and other counties of this State and other States.
He is among the most intelligent and judicious farmers of the county, and, although limited as to cdueational privileges while young, and not receiving very much means from his father to begin life with, he has bceome, unaided and alone, a successful business man of his town.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ball were born eight children, viz., Irene, Lueinda, John N., Charlotte, Silas D., Burton B., Eva J., and Fred. A. Ball.
Of these Irene and Charlotte are dead; the rest are resi- dents of the county of their birth.
In politics, Mr. Ball is a Republican, never taking a very active part in polities, and never negleeting business for political preferment. Held in high esteem by his townsmen, and respected by all who know him.
16
ADAMS.
THIS town, like many others in the southern part of the county, before the division of Oncida county formed a part of Mexico, which has fitly bcen termed the mother of towns, and was set off April 1, 1802. It received its name in honor of President John Adams, and included No. 7, or Aleppo, and No. 8, or Orpheus, of the " Eleven Towns," or the " Black River Tract." This area was main- tained until No. 8 became a separate town, with the name of Rodman. Adams is nearly square, its sides measuring about six miles from east to west, and not quite seven from north to south. On the north it borders on Hounsfield and Watertown ; east, on Rodman ; south, on Lorraine and Ellisburg ; and on the west, on Henderson. The surface is generally level, excepting the northwest portion, which is somewhat broken by the lake ridge, which here traverses the town ; but much of the most elevated land is susceptible of cultivation, and there is comparatively little waste land in the town : even what seems most sterile affords excellent grazing. The ground was originally quite heavily timbered with maple, beech, birch, elm, and butternut, a consider- able area of which yet remains. There were also large bodies of cedar, and a limited quantity of pine, which con- tributed largely to the early wealth of the town, supplying much of the fencing and building-material of the present improvements. The soil is generally fertile : a black mould, sandy loam, or a loam somewhat mixed with clay, underlaid by limestone, with outcroppings of this rock on high ground. The town is well watered, having the North Sandy creek and many tributary brooks in the south, and Stony creek, with numerous small branches, in the northern part. Both streams are fed by springs, and afford permanent water- power.
The distinguished surveyor, Benjamin Wright, said, in 1796, " No. 7 is a good township; there is fine soil and good timber. The Big Sandy creek is a large stream, 1 chain 80 links wide."
Town No. 7 fell to the share of Nicholas Low, in the subdivision of the eleven towns by ballot, and was surveyed by Benjamin Wright, in 1796, into 56 lots, numbercd from west to east and from north to south, commencing near Henderson bay, and ending on the line of Lorraine. Mr. Wright complained of local attractions, that rendered it impossible to run straight lines. The lots varied in con- tents from 240 acres to 676 acres, and the whole made an aggregate of 26,505 acres. This tract of land had been mortgaged to William Constable, June 15, 1796, by Hen- derson, Low, Harrison, and Hoffinan. It was assigned to the Bank of New York, but Low succeeded in getting a relcase, June 16, 1804.
In June, 1799, a company, consisting of Nicholas Salis-
bury, Robert Fulton, Caleb Ellis and son Daniel, Joel Guile, Abram Wilcox, John and Gideon Howard, and Elihu Phillips, followed up the creek from Ellisburg, through this town and Rodman, and the fornier was so struck with the probable fertility and value of the town that he went to New York the same fall, and purchased a tract one mile below the village. About a dozen, whose names are given in the following list, took up lands the same fall. This list is taken from the land books of Nicholas Low, in the hands of I. W. Bostwick, Esq., of Lowville, the agent under whom the town was mostly settled :
1798, Elisha Phillips ; 1799, Oct. 29, Stephen Shippey, Enon D'Es- taing, Nicholas and Alex. Salishury, Solomon Smith, Daniel Com- stock, David Smith, Ahram Ripley, and Jonathan Cahle; Nov. 6, Eliph't Edmonds. Alexander Dewey ; Nov. 14, Geo. Cooper, Jehoida Page, Solomon Truman, Johu W. Smith, Francis McKee, Rohert Myriek ; Dec. 1, Squier Read, Daniel Fox, Zaccheus Walworth; 1800, Josiah Godfrey, Jenks Seaman, Simeon Forhes, Ebenczer La- zelle, David and Stephen Grommons, Isaac Baker, Samuel Fox, Geo. Houseman, Peter Doxtater, Paul Stickney, Elias Avery, James Me- Cumber, Russell Smith, Eben'r Brown, Amos Claflin, Joshua Com- stoek, Matthew Wilkie, Consider Law. In 1801, Ahijah Miller, John Freeman, Josiah Godfrey, Daniel Talcott, Hezekiah Tiffany, Joseph Cook, Phineas Rose, Rohert, Solomon, and Asher Rohhins, Simeon Meacham, Timothy Pond, Barnabas Wellman, Wm. Thomas, Ahel Hart, Henry H. Walrodh, Chauncey and Roswell Mills. In 1802, Nathan Loveland, Cornelius Hinds, Sylvanus P. Daggart, Abel Love- land, Roswell Taylor, Roswell Coe, John Richard, David Higgens, Aaron Farr, John C. Toll, John C. Seott, James Streeter, John Kudder, Joseph Landon. In 1803, Truman and Theodore Bunee, John Jones, John Wentworth, Sylvanus Barney, James Randolph, D. G. M. Gaylord, James Henderson, Thomas James, Absalom Priee, David Gardner. In 1804, Joh Taylor, Eliphalet Adams, Abel Myrick, Darius Markham, John C. Diekinson, John Weaver, Aaron Wehster, and subsequently many others.
Although in the fall of 1799 many parties were in look- ing for lands, yet no settlement was made until April 16, 1800, when Nicholas Salisbury, from Western N. Y., found his way into town through Lowville, by a tedious journey of twenty-six days, bringing with an ox-team and sled his family and goods, fording the streams with great peril, and camping at night wherever necessity compelled them. Solo- mon Smith and son accompanied, as hired men. John Smith, Francis McKce, Consider Law, David Smith, Peter Doxtater, and others, several with families, came into town, and began small clearings, mostly in the valley of Sandy creck. The terms of purchase were $3 per acre, and an ob- ligation to clear two acres and build a house within a certain time. In the spring of this year came David Smith, taking up 500 acres of land where Adams village now is; and later in the season witnessed the arrival of numerous settlers, mostly from Oneida county. Those on foot came by way of Redfield, but this route was then impassable for teams. In 1801, Jacob Kellogg, John Cole, and many others
242
243
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
moved in, and in the second or third following years a flood of immigration soon filled up the town, which every- where presented small patches of clearing, rude huts, blind paths through the forest, destined to become roads, and from every side echoed the woodman's axe, that gradually prepared the way for cultivation.
The first deeds of land to actual settlers were given August 20, 1802, to George Houseman, Peter Doxtater, Francis McKee, Robert Myriek, and David Smith .* The first acre of clearing in the town was cut in May and June, 1800, by Samuel Fox, three miles above the village. On March 21, 1801, occurred the first death, that of Alexander Salisbury, who was drowned while attempting to cross Sandy creek in a scow above the dam, at Adams village. The marriage of his widow to Daniel Ellis, June 8, 1802, is supposed to have been the first wedding in town.
To Nicholas Salisbury belonged the honor of erecting the first building,-a log house, in 1800. He soon after put up a frame house near the same place, a mile below the village, which yet remains. Mr. Salisbury was an active,. enterprising man, serving the town in various capacities. He died at his adopted home Dec. 11, 1834. A short distance above the village lived Jacob Kellogg, who moved from Paris, N. Y., in 1801. He was a useful citizen, and reared a large family, some of whom yet live on the home- stead, where he died in 1854.
THE LISK AND WRIGHT SETTLEMENTS
were farther above Smith's Mills. At the former place settled Eliphalet Edmonds, at whose house the first town- meeting was held, and who afterwards became a prominent citizen ; Francis McKee and Bradford Lisk, who had a tannery in operation many years; a Mr. Munn, who had a tavern at the same point ; Priam Thompson, Elijah Fox, Appleton McKee, Myron Cooper, and others, whose de- scendants became prominent in the town. Here, also, lived the Fox brothers, Samuel and Daniel, the former of whom cleared the first ground in the town ; the latter lived on the farm he had hewn out of the wilderness until his death, June 23, 1873. He was born at Groton, Conn., March 1, 1771, and was, therefore, more than 102 years old. All of the above came before 1802. A number of years later, the well-known brothers, Thos. R. and Joseph L. Greene, lineal descendants of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, came from Berlin, N. Y., and settled in this locality. Thos. R. after- wards removed to Adams Centre, where he died, in 1874. Joseph L. is at present a resident of Adams village, being one of the foremost citizens. He had three sons, George E., who died in 1870; David M., who was a naval officer eight years, and is at present deputy State engineer ; and Albert S., who is engineer in the United States navy.
In 1803, Cyrus Eddy, from Massachusetts, located two miles north of the village, and lived there until his death, in 1859. Of the two sons he reared, Justus survives, living in Adams village; and to him we are indebted for much valuable information pertaining to the town. The ensuing year brought more immigrants from the old Bay State. W. Wright, with a family of eight; Canni Wright
and family, twelve members ; John Wright and wife ; Eli Wright ; Rufus Nims; Lemuch Arms and his sons, Rich- ard, Luman, Hiram, and John ; and others,-thirty-eight in all. Of this large number, Luman Arms, at Adams Centre, aged 81, and Eli Wright, at Adams village, now 93 years old, are the only survivors living in the town. Many of those mentioned above served in the War of 1812, and the influence of their lives produced a marked effect upon the town.
THE THOMAS SETTLEMENT,
on Sandy creek, a few miles below Adams village, derives its name from the well-known Thomas family, who settled here in April, 1800. There were four brothers, William, Benjamin, Ezra, and Ira, who made the journey from Hali- fax, Vermont, by ox-team through the wilds. They imnme- diately began clearings, and the ensuing year were followed by their mother and two younger brothers, Elihu and Joel. Many of the farms in this part of the town were opened by them, and when the country was imperiled, in 1812, they went to the defense of Sacket's Harbor, participating in the action at that place. A noted characteristic of the family was their fondness for martial music, and their ability to execute the good, soul-stirring old tunes. For many years the Thomas drum corps was one of the institutions of the town, and many an Independence day and social gathering were enlivened by the rat-tat-tat of their drums. Elihu Thomas is the only survivor of the brothers living in town, although many of their descendants remain, noted as useful citizens.
A Captain Barney kept a tavern at the corners in the settlement about 1810, which he continued a number of years. A small stock of goods was added, and a store kept in connection with the inn. Becoming involved, he closed out his business, moved to Watertown, where he kept a hotel, and years after was accidentally drowned in Black river. Farther up the road towards Adams, O. Salisbury opened another tavern, in 1811. This, also, was discon- tinued as soon as the village became a trading-point.
William Gilbert, from Marlboro', Vermont, came to Adams in 1810, and was for many years one of its promi- nent citizens. Edward Barney came about 1801, and was a sort of a physician, although never schooled for the profession.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The first town-meeting was held at the house of Eliphalet Edmonds, and at the election held March 1, 1803, the fol- lowing officers were chosen : Supervisor, Nicholas Salisbury ; Clerk, Phineas Keith ; Assessors, D'Estaing Salisbury, John W. Smith, David Grommon, Thomas White; Collector, Isaac Baker; Overseers of the Poor, Thomas White, David Comstock ; Commissioners of Highways, Paul Stick- ney, Jacob Kellogg, Simeon Hunt; Constables, Isaac Baker, Anson Moody; Fence-viewers, David Comstock, David Smith, George H. Thomas, George Cooper; Pound- keepers, Jacob Kellogg, Benjamin Thomas; Overseers of Highways, Abraham Ripley, James Perry, Enan Salisbury, John Cowles, Consider Law, Solomon Robbins, Hezekiah Tiffany, Thomas White, Daniel Mansfield, Asa Davis,
$ Dr. Hough.
244
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Squire Read, Abel Palmer ; Deer-reeves, David Comstock and Simeon Hunt.
The following have served as supervisors since the or- ganization of the town :
1803-12. Nicholas Salishury. 1813. Jacob Kellogg. 1814-17. Nicholas Salisbury. 1818-20. Eliphalet Edmonds. 1821-26. William Hart. 1827-28. Isaac Baker. 1829-30. Cyrus Eddy. 1831. Chauncey Baker. 1832. Isaae Baker.
1842-43. Rufus Herrick. 1844. Abram Sheldon. 1845-47. Joseph L. Greene.
1848. Charles Potter.
1849-52. John C. Cooper. 1853. Joseph L. Greenc. 1854. John C. Cooper. 1855. John H. Whipple. 1856-57. Justus Eddy.
1833. Cyrus Eddy. 1834. Wells Benton.
1858-62. Charles A. Benjamin. 1863-64. George W. Bond.
1835. David J. M. Howard. 1836. Isaac Baker.
1865-67. Charles A. Benjamin. 1868-70. Royal Fuller.
1837. Samnel Bond.
1871. Oscar D. Allen.
1838. D. J. M. Howard.
1839-40. John H. Whipple.
1872. Royal Fuller. 1873-77. O. De Grasse Greenc.
1841. Robert B. Doxtater.
Important special town-meetings were held Nov. 10, 1803, when a remonstrance was voted against taking threc ranges of lots from the north side of the town to annex to the contemplated town of Newport; also to agree to the division of the town on the line between towns 7 and 8; in April, 1813, " for the purpose of making pro- vision for the maintenance of Mary Richards, said woman being struek off to Zephemah Tucker, by the town paying him $44 (other expenses of said meeting amounted to $12.50-total, $56.50) ;" April 23, 1823, at the office of Willianı Doxtater, when the vote of the town relative to the selling of the poor was reconsidered, in all cases except those already sold. At the sale of the poor in 1822 and 1823 the bids ranged from 75 cents to $2.50 per week. The subject of maintaining the poor occasioned much legis- lation, and in 1823 the town voted against adopting the poor-house and house of industry recommended by the su- pervisors. At a later day appropriations were made to secure the removal of several indigent families. In the main, the poor of the town have received proper care. In 1804 it was voted,-
" That the fines ineurred by Thomas, James, and John Richards for selling liquors be remitted to them."
" That the pound-keepers provide pounds that they will be ac- countable for."
" That hogs run at large with yokes."
In 1805, voted : "That Peter Doxtater's fine for killing deer be remitted to him."
Captain Daniel Compstock and Lieutenant Jacob Kel- ogg were elected poor-masters, and agreed to pay interest for the money they should receive.
1807 .- " That cattle shall not run at large, within half a mile of Smith's Mills, between the first day of December and the fifteenth day of March."
1808 .- " That Benjamin Sawyer's fine for selling liquor shall not be eolleeted." "That Mansfield's fine for profane swearing shall not be collected of Dr. Eli Eastman." "That C. Lewis' fine for profane swearing shall not be collected of Ephraim Joy."
1812 .- A penalty of $5 was voted for allowing Canada thistles to go to seed.
1813 .- " That ten dollars be given for every wolf or painter killed in the town of Adams."
Wolf bounties of $5 were offered in 1803; of $10 from 1804 to 1814; of $15 in 1815. A bounty of $10 for wild-cats, and $1 for foxes, was also voted this year.
In 1844, Isaac C. Baker, collector in 1842, who had lost $40 in the discharge of his duties without being in the fault, owing to the failure of a bank of whose issue he held bills, was ordered to be reimbursed.
May 19, 1846, a special meeting was held to determine the sentiment of the people on the license question : 231 voted for, and 338 against license. Again, April 27, 1847, the matter was tested, and the vote stood 227 for, and 285 against license. The town-meetings were formerly held at Adams village, but for many years past have been held at Union Hall, Adams Centre.
THE MILITARY HISTORY
of the town includes the names of a number who served in the war for American independence : Peter Doxtater, who was taken prisoner by the Mohawk Indians and kept three years, served as a scout in the Revolution and received a pension from Congress in 1834. He died at Adams, Dec. 1, 1842. Others on the pension-roll were John Merriam, Abel Bassett, Danforth Doty, Lucy Thompson, and Cyn- thia White. Paul Stickney was a sailor under Paul Jones, and Preserved Redway was one of Washington's body- . guard. He was also present, as corporal of the guard, at Gen. Burgoyne's surrender.
Many of the citizens served in the War of 1812, and a company of " Silver Grays," composed of men not liable to military duty, among them several Revolutionary patriots, was formed in town, and once or twice repaired to Sacket's Harbor, but was never mustered into the regular service of the government.
The late civil war ealled many of the loyal sons of Adams to the defense of the Union. A ready response was given to the first calls for volunteers, and when 300,000 more were asked to enroll themselves, the town showed a willing- ness to share the burden by voting a bounty. A special meeting was called Dee. 16, 1863, and of the 258 votes cast but 7 were against paying a $300 bounty. Aid to volunteers was also voted Feb. 11, 1864, March 21, 1864; and on Aug. 12, 1864, a meeting was held authorizing the town-board to issue bonds and pay volunteers $1000; 129 persons pledged themselves in favor of this measure, and 4 against it. Liberal and praiseworthy provision was also made for the care of the families of those who enlisted. A record of the names of those in the Union army appears in another part of this book.
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